Muskingum News

Less than 24 hours after moving into their residence halls and saying goodbye to their families, nearly 250 Muskingum University students met early on the quad to volunteer in several community service projects on Saturday.

Led by members of Muskingum’s various student organizations, faculty and staff, the first-year students scrubbed and cleaned, weeded and picked up litter at locations in New Concord, Zanesville and Norwich. The projects were coordinated by the Student Life Office as part of Welcome Weekend.
 
Students converged on a variety of locations, including the John and Annie Glenn Museum and College Drive Presbyterian Church in New Concord, and the Habitat for Humanity Restore and the Farmer’s Market in Zanesville. They also split up to pick up litter on Main Street, Thompson Avenue and Montgomery Boulevard in New Concord.

Muskingum University Provost Nancy Evangelista led a group to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore where they assisted with breaking down furniture to recycle and learned about the organization.

"This is a great opportunity to learn more about, and to work in, the community," said Evangelista. "It is also a time for first-year students to connect with each other, build relationships, and see what leadership looks like from students in upper-class years who are already established in campus leadership roles."

Katelyn Angel ‘22 walked Main Street with classmates Arlana James ‘22 and Kierstyn Czuchran ‘19, picking up litter.

“I think it’s really a great way to meet new people and help clean up our community,” Angel said. 

Jarod Byard ‘22 volunteered at the John and Annie Glenn Museum, washing the front porch as Richard Adams ‘22 clipped the bushes in the front yard. Adams, from Cincinnati, plans to explore majoring in biology.

Pioneer Trails provided volunteer transportation to make the event possible.